Fan units for drying machines



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Patented July 7, 1936 "UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I 2,047,156 rm um'rs FOB name moms 11 This invention relates to material treating machines in general, wherein the processing or other medium is continuously disseminated by means of a circulating fan, or series of circulating fans whereby the material treated is dried, conditioned or otherwise subjected to a systematic treatment 'productivejof predetermined results.

More particularly the present invention has reference to driers" or mechanical means for effecting the drying of materials, and it has for a primary object the provision of a fan assembly for drying enclosures which can be expeditiously installed, removed for repair, inspection or otherwise, without disturbing the material being dried or adversely aiiecting continuity in 'the drying operation. I

Another object is to provide a drying equipment with a series of individual fan units, each of which may be introduced into, or retracted from, the drying enclosure with a minimum expenditure of time and labor.

A further object of th'einvention is to provide afan unit of the character specified and for the purpose stated, which is simple in construction and includes but few parts of sturdy character, whereby said unit is not liable to derangement.

With the stated and ancillary objects in view this invention consists in certain structural features, combinations of elements and arrangements of parts which are exemplified in the embodiments of said invention herein described and illustrated, while the scope of the invention is particularly defined by the claims concluding this specification.

Before entering into a detailed explanation of my invention it is well to note that, heretofore, in-order to replace, repair, or inspect the fans of standard drying machinery, it is customary to stop the machine, unload the material being dried from in front of the particular fan or fans requiring attention, and then remove the usual protecting screen, before access may be had to the fan or fans needing repair. or other attention. v In the accompanying drawings:

' Fig. I is a cross-section of a conventional form of drying machine, showing the improved type' of fan unit in operating position relative to the drying enclosure; and also indicating said unit retracted, at the left-hand side of-"the view, in dot-and-dash lines.

' Fig. II is a broken side view of the drying machine, or looking toward the right-hand of Fig. I.

Fig. III is a corresponding side view with the Application 0mm 20, 1934, Serial No. 150,122

fan unit removed and replaced by a blank panel closure-member; and,

Fig. IV is a cross-section illustrative of a modiiied form of the invention.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, a 5 conventional drying machine of the tunnel" type is comprehensively designated by the numeral 5, the same being divided into consecutive sections 6, in each of which the drying medium is independently circulated, while progressively advancl0 ing from the service inlet to an exhaust of such medium. The drying machine 5, in accordance with known practice, comprises a framework of vertical and horizontal sections I, 8 and 8' respectively, with thermo-insulating material panl5 els 9, and partitions ID, that define the consecutive treating sections 6; each such section being provided at one side of the machine with one or more hinged doors H affording access thereinto, when necessary, In the particular showing, 2 the drying machine 5, includes a tunnel or drying enclosure l2, through or into which suitable trucks I3, bearing trays I4 upon which the maierial to bedried is placed, are introduced or progressively advanced.

At the fan side of the machine 5, each drying 25 section 6 is provided with an appropriate fanring or housing l5, suitably attached to the framework of the machine. All of the foregoing referred to parts are in accordance with known practice and are referred to generally by way of providing proper background for a clear understanding of the present invention.

In accordance with my improvements I construct a framework or fan support i6 including standard-section outer and inner verticals l1, l8 respectively, which are rigidly connected together in spacial relation by horizontal braces l9, l9; and each said vertical l1, I8 is provided at its ,lower end with a freely-rotative castor or roller 20, whereby the fan support It may be wheeled about. The fan support verticals l1, I! are of a height to be readily moved .into the drying machine 5 and attached at their upper ends, by appropriate securing means 2i to paralleling horizontals 8, in a manner obvious to those conversant with the art.

At a level intermediate: the top and bottom of the fan support Hi there is firmly secured an inwardly-tapering truncate-casing 22, of thermoinsulating material. In the particular showing the casing 22 is rectangular in vertical section, and includes top, bottom, and side panels 23, 24, 25, respectively; with an inner thermo-insulated face-plate 26, that jointly form a substantially tically no air delivery by the fan 30 over said tight enclosure or recess in which the fan motor 21 is mounted on the upper horizontals l8, with interposed thermo-insulating blocks or cross members 28. It is to be observed that the motor 21 is positioned so that the shaft 28 thereof projects through a corresponding orifice in the face-plate 28, alignediy with the axis of the fan ring or housing It, hereinbefore referred to.

The type of fan III which I preferably use is constructed with a double disc or paralleling con-- centric center-plates 8|, diametrically somewhat larger than the inner end confines of the trun cate casing 22, with suitably-shaped blades 32, secured between the peripheral portions of said plates. As a result of providing the fan III with a central blank or dead area, larger than the confronting end of the casing 22, there is pracend, in that such delivery is solely through the blades 32 annularly around the center plates 8|, for a purpose later on again referred to.

Attention is now directed to the positioning of the fan support verticals l1, l8, the latter or inner ones l8 being much closer together than the former, or against the smaller end of the truncate casing 22. This arrangement of the uprights l1, I8 not only adds rigidity to the fan mounting; but also materially facilitates ambient manipulation of the fan unit It as a whole, as will be obvious without further explanation, while the support uprights l8 are provided at their upper ends with lateral braces 33, Fig. 11, for connection to the machine frame horizontals 8 aforesaid. The outer area ofv the fan unit It, above and below the truncate casing 22 between the verticals I1, is fitted with thermo-insulating panels 34, so that when said unit is attached in place, in the drying machine 8, escape of any heated air or other treating medium is effectively prevented.

In cases where extremely high temperatures are essential in the drying machine 5, and in order to better protect the motor 21 against the ravages incident thereto, I preferably modify the fan unit it as illustrated in Fig. IV. In this form of the invention I mount the motor 21a exterior to, or outside the confines of the casing 22a, the latter being, in this case, preferably made rectangular in all sectional planes; although it may be, obviously, of tubular construction. To support the motor 21a, as just stated, I fit the unit with a suitable bracket including horizontal and oblique sections 35, 36 respectively. The fan 30a is mounted on an extension shaft 31, journaled in a suitable bearing 38, secured within the inner end of the casing 22a, and connected to the motor shaft 29a by a flexible coupling 38; while the bearing 38 is supplied with lubricant by a tube 40, from an easily accessible oil cup 4|, in an obvious manner. In all other respects this form of my invention corresponds with the showing of Figs. I-HI, and to obviate unnecessary repetitive descriptive matter, similar partsare designated by like reference characters with an added exponent a.

Heater coils are conventionally indicated at 42, but it is to be remarked that the space between the fan 30 or 30a and the outside wall of the machine 5 is kept clear of such coils, pipes or other means, that might interfere with the quick removal and insertion of the fan unit l8; while it will be seen that the thermo-insulating panels 84, 34a, casing 22 or 22a, and the face plates 28 or 26a, when the unit is in place, jointly become part of the drying machine enclosing walls.

interfering with continued operation of the machine. Furthermore, when the fan unit I6 or lid is withdrawn, it may be readily replaced by a spare unit, kept for the purpose, and the machine 5 continued in operation at full efficiency: or, if it is desired to operate said machine temporarily, while the withdrawn fan unit [6 or lid I is being repaired, a spare blank panel 43 may be substituted therefor, and the machine 5 continued in operation with but little decrease in its efliciencsn pending replacement of the removed fan unit I or lia.

Attention is also directed to the mounting o1.

. the fan 38 directly on the shaft 29 of a standard type of motor 21, Figs. I-III, which does away with the need for utilization of special motors having extended shafts and special bearings, to render possible location of the fan at some distance inwardly of the machine casing or outer wall; while in accordance with my invention the motor 21 or 21a is rigidly and firmly supported.

The front of the casing 22 being open provides for easy access to the motor 21 if or whenever desired, while it also enables induced circulation of exterior air for cooling said motor; such induced circulation being materially enhanced by the inwardly tapering form of the casing 22. Furthermore the motor 21 or 21a may be provided with a built-in circulating fan 44, serviceable to draw air through the motor windings and discharge it into the casing 22 about the motor 21; such a fan being conventionally indicated by dotand-dash outline in Fig. I; or a similar fan may be mounted on the motor shaft extension 31, Fig. IV, in an obvious manner. Again by use of stout insulating blocks or cross members 28 for seating the motor 21, practically the only heat trans mitted from within the drying machine 5 to the motor 21 is the negligible amount transferred by conductivity through the motor shaft 29.

Another advantage inhering to my invention is due to mounting the fan 30 on the motor shaft 29, and with practically only the insulating face plate 28 between said fan and the motor bearing, there is no loss in efliciency, as vibration is practically eliminated; while the tapering shape of the fan casing 22 materially assists circulation of the heated air in the drying enclosure l2 by gradually changing 'the course of the fan delivery, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. I, instead of having it abruptly turned by the side walls of the machine 5.

Still further it is to be noted that the aperture in the face plate 26 or 280 is of a diameter as to snugly fit the shaft 29 or 31, so as to effect a seal against exhaust of drying air from the enclosure l2 therethrough; or, should the motor 21 or 21a be reversed to similarly prevent entry. of exterior air into said drying enclosure.

From the foregoing it is thought the merits an I advantages of this invention will be fully appreciated, and while specific embodiments of said aosaise braced within the scope of the following claims, or the prior art prescribes.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: 1. The combination in a drying machine subdivided to provide a plurality of drying eni-' closures, each of which has a sectional aperture,

each of which has a sectional aperture, of a retractable unit adapted to close the aperture; said unit comprising a wheeled structure, means in cluded in'the structure jointly providing an outwardly-open truncate recess and closure for the sectional aperture, means supporting a motor in the truncate recess with its shaft projecting beyond said recess inner end wall, said truncate recess serving to induce a circulation of cooling medium about the motor, and a fan on the shaft projection with a central .discous portion effective to prevent heated medium from the drying enclosure contacting the motor.

3. The combination in a drying machine subdivided into a series of drying enclosures with individual sectional apertures, of a retractable fan unit for each enclosure adapted to close the sectional aperture thereof, said unit comprising a wheeled structure, panel means defining in said structure an outwardly-open truncate casing and closure wall for the sectional aperture, bearers across said casing rigidly supporting a motor with its shaft projecting beyond the inner end wall thereof, a fan on the shaft projecting end in close proximity thetruncate casing inner end, said fan having a central blank portion diametrically greater than the confines of the casing inner end, whereby heated medium from within the associated drying enclosure is prevented from contacting the motor, and means whereby the unit aforesaid is removably secured in the drying machine.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the wheeled structure comprises rigidly connected verticals and horizontals of standard sections, the combined closure paneland truncate casing consist of thermo-insuiating panels, and the motor is supported on opposing horizontals with in- 6. The combination of claim 3 wherein the wheeled structure comprises paralleling outer and inner verticals with connecting horizontals, said inner verticals being closer spaced than the outer, and lateral braces at the upper ends of the inner verticals whereby all of said verticals may be attached, by removable securing means, to paiiglleiing frame members of the drying mach e.

7. The combination in a drying machine subdivided into aseries of drying enclosures with individual sectional apertures, of a retractable fan unit for each enclosure adapted to close the sectional aperture thereof, said unit comprising a wheeled frame structure of. standard section verticals and connecting horizontals, thermo-insulating material pa'nels defining in said structure i a closure wall with an outwardly-open inset tunnel having the inner end closed, means supporting a motor in front of the-tunnel open end with an extension of its shaft projecting through said 20 tunnel closed end. a fan on the shaft extension projecting end having a central blank portion effective to prevent contact of heated air from I within the drying enclosure contacting the motor,

and means whereby the fan unit is removably secured in the drying machine. 8. The combination of claim '7 wherein the fan shaft extension is journaled' in a bearing at the inner end of the inset tunnel, and is connected to the motor shaft by a flexible coupling. 9. In a drying machine subdivided into a series of drying enclosures with individual sectional apertures, a retractable fan unit for each enclosure adapted to close the sectional aperture thereof, said unit comprising a portable frame structure of'v'erticals and horizontals, panels in tervening the verticals and horizontals to define an outwardly-open recess and closure for the sectional aperture, means supporting a motor with its shaft projecting beyond the recess inner end, and a fan on the shaft projecting end with means effective to prevent heated medium from the associated enclosure contacting the motor. 10. A portable fan unit comprising a wheeled structure, means included in said structure providing an open-ended truncate-casing for a moq tor with panels above and below the open end to jointly define with the casing wall an aperture closure, said casing serving to induce and enhance circulation of cooling air about the motor and thelatter having its shaft projecting through the closed end of the truncate-casing, 'anda fan on the shaft projecting end.

11. A portable fan unit as claimed in claim 10 wherein the wheeled structure includes spaced pairs of verticals with connecting horizontals. freely rotative elements at the lower ends of said verticals, and one pair of said verticals being closer spaced than the other to facilitate ambient m manipulation of the unit as a whole.

CHRISTIAN H. REUMANN. 

